Coalition Means Not Just Power Sharing.. Is It Also Corruption Sharing?!
In the Andhra Pradesh coalition government, is it not just power-sharing but also the sharing of corruption? The answer appears to be yes. With three partners in the alliance, it seems that they are ensuring that each gets their respective share in everything. As part of this, sources in the Energy Department say that a major project recently awarded by the department was given out after drastically inflating its estimated cost. According to information from Energy Department sources, irrespective of the names of the companies that secured this project, the ultimate beneficiary is reportedly a key partner party in the coalition. Sources in the Energy Department revealed that an MP belonging to that party allegedly orchestrated the entire affair through a company associated with his close aides. A senior official said that this appears to be a project allotted under that party’s quota as part of the corruption taking place in power projects across the state. Department sources also commented that their officials had never faced the kind of pressure they are facing over this project.
In fact, a mega company had made all the preparations well in advance to secure this project, including getting a DPR prepared. However, sources say that an MP from one of the coalition parties entered the scene and, while asking the Energy Department why everything should go to the same company and demanding that this project be given to them, put pressure on officials to ensure that it was awarded only to those recommended by them. It appears that the government’s top leadership also left the project to them, they said. Moreover, sources say that the estimated cost of the power project was increased drastically from Rs 5,470 crore to Rs 8,161 crore, apparently to settle everything in one go. In the words of a senior official, this is nothing short of a “death sentence” for GENCO. There are widespread allegations that corruption to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore has taken place in the Energy Department alone within two years of the coalition government coming to power in Andhra Pradesh.
Energy Department sources say that a “Kim team” allegedly carried out these collections on behalf of one of the most powerful ministers in the Andhra Pradesh government by granting approvals to various power projects with a total capacity of 20,000 MW. Special teams were also reportedly set up in Delhi, Hyderabad and Amaravati for these collections. All of them are allegedly operating behind the scenes. Apart from power projects, the Kim team is also reportedly handling all deals related to power contracts and other matters on behalf of the powerful minister.
Sources say that, knowing all this, an MP from another key coalition party entered the scene and carefully planned this project, exerting tremendous pressure on Energy Department officials and getting the work completed as they wanted. However, with the full blessings of the government’s top leadership, the estimates were allegedly increased indiscriminately, and corruption in this project is said to have reached new heights. Energy Department sources are questioning whether those claiming to be the very embodiment of ethics and honesty would demand an inquiry into the project if their party genuinely has no benefit from it.
